Berlusconi Loses Ruling in a Tax-Fraud Case

By

Manuela Mesco And

Giada Zampano

June 19, 2013 4:04 p.m. ET

ROME—Italy's Constitutional Court declined to invalidate a trial that led to a tax-fraud conviction for former Premier Silvio Berlusconi—a decision that could rattle the country's fragile governing coalition.

Mr. Berlusconi was convicted in October on tax-fraud charges related to the acquisition by his media company Mediaset SpA of television and film rights almost a decade ago. His lawyers had wanted the trial thrown out on...